Check-indorser inking mechanism



Feb. 15,1927. 1,617,879

H. swANsoN CHECK INDORSER INKING MECHANISM Feb. 15, 1927.

H. SWANSON CHECK INDoRsER INKNG MECHANISM Filed June 30. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gru/vento z MM Grammys' Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATE-S PATE-NT OFFICE.

IIJALMAB. sirANsoN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoR 'ro CUMMINS PERFORA'I'OB COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OI' ILLINOIS.

CHECK-INDORSER INKING MECHANISM..

Application mea :une so, 1925, serial No. 40,676.

The invention relates to an inking mechanism or device and among its many useful applications has particular utility in connection with a machine for indorsing or Othero wise marking checks or the like. A check indorsing machine in conjunction with which the present invention is designed to be used, forms the subject matter of my prior application Serial No. 596,728, filed October 25,

1922. An examination of the latter mentioned application will aid in a complete understanding of one useful application of the present invention.

The invention contemplates provision of an improved inking device or mechanism and has for its objects: to provide an inkin mechanism composed of fe w parts simply an compactly arranged whereby convenience :and accuracy inthe operation thereof is insured;

to provide an inking mechanism which may be readily and conveniently assembled within or removed from a. check indorsing ma chine or the like; to provide an inking mechanism so designed as to prevent the accumulation of a superfluous quantity of ink O11 the inking roller and in which the continuous feed of the pro er amount of ink to the inking roller is de nitely insured; to provide an inking mechanism characterized by the provision of ink supply controlling elements which may be conveniently adjusted to increase or decrease in quantity the continuous supply of ink to the roller; and to provide an inking mechanism constituting a self-contained unitary structure which may be conveniently and ra idly thrown into and out of operation accor ing to operating conditions and whether it is desired to supply ink to the printing roller or to cut oit' the 40 supply of ink thereto.

In addition to the general objects recited above, the invention includes among its advantages, such other improvements and advantages in construction and operation as are found to obtain in the structures and devices hereinafter described or claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specificatlon, and showing, for purposes of exemplication, a preferred form and manner in which the invention may be employed and practiced, but without limiting the claimed invention specifically to such illustrated instance or instances:

Fig. l is a plan view of a portion Of a check indorsing machine or the like, having with which the present improvements are deassembled therein an inking device or mechanlsm constituting a 'preferred embodiment of the invention. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view On line 3 3 of Fig. 1. i

Elg. 4 is a fragmentary detailed end elevation of the ink stop lever.

Referring to the drawings, l and 2 designate a pair of co-extending arms which are rigidly secured at their lower ends to the frame of a check indorsing machine (not shown) and having pivotally and adjustably mounted in the free ends thereof by means of stud 'shafts'3, 3', a second pair of arms or bracket members 4 and 5. Mounted in suitable bosses indicated at 6 and 7 in the free ends of the members 4 and 5 and extending inwardly therefrom are a pair of supporting trunnions 8, 8. These trunnions through the intermediary of ball bearings (not shown) of which their ends are fashioned to constitute the cones, support the op.- posite ends of a printing or type roller 10, and provide a substantially frictionless bearing construction for the said type roller. The printing roller 10 is adapted to co-operate with an impression roller l0Il (Fig. 2) during the operation of the check indorsing machine. The printing roller 10 is further provided with a removable type plate (not shown) carrying the fixed type on its upper surface and having a substantially rectangular aperture therein through which projects the changeable data,contained within the roll- 90 er 10, to be printed on the check, and which dataisin alignment with said aperture when the plate is positioned on the roller 10. The fixed and changeable data (not shown) and carried by and within the printing roller 10, forms no part of the present invention and has therefore not been illustrated in detail. The printing roller is a part of the check indorsing machine in conjunction 10o signed to be used. Said check indorsing machine is preferably automatic in operation and is actuated by the check or other piece of paper to be marked by the printing roller 10, the said roller 10 being actuated by the insertion of the check to be marked or indorsed by means of a suitable feed roller. The particular mechanism co-Operating with the inserted check and by which the intermittent rotation of the printing roller 10 is 110 obtained, forms the subject 'matter of my above mentioned prior application Ser. No. 596,728, and as the same is set forth in detail in said prior application, will not be further described. y j

Preferably integrally formed with the arms or members 4 and 5 is a rearwardly extending tail portion 4a having a boss portion 4b at its rear end. The boss portion is apertured at 11 to receive said screw or pin 12, the lower end of which is threaded into the frame A of the machine. The boss portion 4b is further provided with a depression lor recess 13 designed to receive the upper yend of a compression spring 14, the lower end of which is seated in an opposed recess in the machine frame. It will be ap arent that by adjusting the screw 12 any csired tension or relative position of the printing roller 10 with respect to the impression roller 10, may be obtained.

Formed integrally with the inner surfaces of the members or'arms 4 and 5 and suitably positioned thereon, is a pair of oppositely disposed bosses 13 having journaled thereon by means of stud shafts 15 a pivotally mounted supporting frame 17. The frame is provided with a pair of u wardly extending arms 18 terminating in a justable yoke members 18n forming bearings for the ends of the shaft or shafts 19 of the ink roller 20, the latter being removably secured as by pins 21 for free rotation within said yoke members.

The inking roller 20 is preferably provided with a removable circumferential layer of felt 20a or any desired ink absorbing material. A rearwardly projecting tail portion 22 of the frame 17 terminates in a socketed boss 23, which constitutes a seat for a spring-pressed plate or plunger 23a. A coil spring 24 is seated in a recess 25 formed in the rearwardly extending tail portion 4a of the arms 4 and 5, said spring bearing at its upper end against the lower side of the plate or plunger 23a. A set screw 27 is threaded into the boss 23 of the frame 17 and bears at its lower end against the upper surface of the plate or plunger 23. It will be a parent that by means of thearrangement dbscribed, any desired adjustment of the frame 17 may be 'effected by means of the set screw 27 to bring the inking roller 20 into proper cooperating relation with the printing or type roller 10.

An ink receptacle or well 28 is provided, having depending curved arms 29 at each end which terminate in hub portions which are journaled on the stud shafts 15. The ends of the ink receptacle 28 are provided with bearing ortions 30, which form journal supports or the shaft or shafts 31 of a removable ink supply roll 32 normally bearing against a rotatably engaging surface of the inking roller 20. The ink supply roller 32 may be a solid, smooth steel roller or may be constructed of other desired or referred material having aA smooth surtgce. When the ink supply roller 32 is rotatably positioned within the ink receptacle 28, said roller is partially immersed in the ink contained within the receptacle. The ink receptacle 28 is further provided with a rear-V wardly extending substantially horizontal fiange or ear 33 which is apertured as at 34 for the reception of a set screw or pin 35. The lower end of the pin 35 has a threaded engagement with a suitably disposed aperture 36 in the rearwardly extending tail portion 4u of the arms or bracket members 4 and 5. A compression spring 37 is carried by the set screw 35 and bears at its lower end against a lock nut 38 threaded on the pin 35, said compression spring bearing at its upper end against the iiange or ear 33 of the ink receptacle and tending to normally maintain said flange in engagement with the enlarged head of the set screw 35. It will therefore be apparent that any desired tension of the smooth ink supply roller 32, carried by the ink receptacle 38 a ainst the inkinrr roller 20, may be obtained by turning the set screw 35 and locking the same in adjusted position by means of the lock nut 38.

An adjustable ink scraper or member 39 is provided and is seated at each end upon the substantially horizontal and end walls 40 of the ink receptacle 28, said ink scraping member normally projecting inwardly to adjustably cooperate and bear against the smooth ink sup ly roller 32. The scraper 39 is normally orced inwardly toward the roller 32 by means of coil springs 41 each of which bears at its inner end against the scraper and at its outer end against suitably disposed upstanding lugs 42, preferably integrally formed on the ink receptacle 28. Adjusting screws 42 are provided in loose engagement with the lugs 42, said screws being threaded or otherwise secured at their inner ends in the ink scraper member 39. The adjusting screws 42n provide means for properly adjusting the scraper 39 with respect to the ink supply roller 32 accordlng to whether a thin or thick ilm of ink is desired on said roll. Forward and rearward movement ofthe scraper 39 is limited by means of screws or pins 43 passing through suitable slots and recesses 44 in the ink scraper, said screws having a threaded engagement with the ink receptacle 28.

Pivotally mounted as by a screw or pin 45 on the flange or ear 33 of the ink receptacle is a hand or ink stop lever 46, the purpose of `which is to establish or discontinue the supply of ink from the receptacle 28 and smooth roller 32 to the inking roller 20. When it is desired to establish said supply of ink to the rollers described and therefrom 'to the type roller 10, the hand lever 46 is.

in itsfnormal position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1. The tension of the s ring 37 tends to maintain the ink receptac e carrying the roller 32 in its uppermost position in contact with the underside of the head of the screw 35. lThe latter has been adjusted to eiect the proper-engaging tension between the rollers 32 and ,20, and ink is continuously supplied by the roller. 32 to the ink-absorbing surface of the roller 20. When it is desired to discontinue the supply of ink to the roller 20, the ink stop leverY 46 is moved to the right accompanied by a slight downward pressure thereon, and into position shown lin dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position the ink stop lever l46 passes under the head of the screw 35 and between the latter and the flange or ear 33 of the ink receptacle. It will be understood that the described movement of the ink stop lever is accompanied by a downward pressure sufiicient to overcome the tension of the spring 37 and permit the lever 46 to be inserted between the ila nge 33 of the receptacle and the head of the screw 35. It will further be apparent that in this latter described position of the ink supply lever, the ink receptacle 28 will be .rocked downwardly on its pivots 15, -a distance equal to the thickness of the lever 46, and the smooth roller 32 journaled in the ink receptacle will be bodily moved out of contact with the inking roller 20. To reestablish contact between -the ink distributing roller 32' and the inking roller 20, the ink stop lever 46 is again moved to. the lett as viewed in Fig. 1 and the pressure of the spring 37 against the^receptacle 28 engages roller 32 with the roller 20 with the desired tension.

The operation of the improved inking mechanism is briefly as follows rlheprinting roller 10 is adjusted by means of the set screw -12 to the proper driving tension against the impression rollerlO, such pressure being suiicient to cause the impression of the type contained within the printing roller to be visible on the paper or material passed between said rollers. The inking roller 20 is then adjusted by means of the set screw 27 to bear with the desired pressure against the roller 10 to properly transfer ink and the type carried by the roller 10. The desired frictional engagement between the ink distributing roller 32 and the inking roller 20 is effected by means of the set screw 35. This engagement is preferably such that the ink distributing roller barely touches the inking roller withV suilicient pressure to cause the rotation of the former when the inking roller is turned. The ink scraper 39 is adjusted by means of the screw 42 into the desired cooperating relation to the ink distributing or supply roller 32, so as to leave a thin lm of 1n upon the surface of the roller when the same isrotated within the ink receptacle by means ot the inking roll'er 20. It will be apparent that the adjusted relation of the ink scraper 39 with respect to the ink supply roller may be such as'to 'result in a thin or thick film.

of ink being carried by the ink supply roller, depending upon operating conditions, such adjustment being effected by the screws 42a. By forming the ink distributing or supply roller 32 otsolid steel with a smooth surface, ,an even film ot' ink is carried thereby, the thickness of which film may be determined with accuracy by the adjustable relation of the scraper 39 to said roller.

Theinvention as hereinabove set forth may be variously embodied within the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

,What I claim is 1. An inking device for check indorsing' livered to said inking roller, and means for eiiecting the driving engagement of said inking roller with said ink supply means, and means for rendering inelfectual `said means for effecting the driving engagement of said ink supply means, whereby the supply of ink to said inking roller may be discontinued. y

2. An inking device for check indorsing machines andthe like, comprising in combination: a printing roller, an inking roller adjustably mounted relative to and adapted to cooperate with said printing roller, an ink receptacle, ink supply means mounted in said ink receptacle and adapted to normally contact with and be operated by contact with said inking roller, anvink scraper cooperating with said ink supply means to regulate the supply of ink delivered to said inking roller, and means for effecting contact between said inking roller and said ink supply means, and means for moving said ink receptacle andits ink supply means away from said inking rollerl and against the means for effecting contact between said inliing roller and said inking means, whereby the supply of ink to said inking roller may be discontinued.

3. An inking device for check indorsing machines and the like, comprising in combination: a printing roller, an inking roller 'cooperating therewith, an ink receptacle, ink

supply means mounted in said receptacle and cooperating withsaid inking roller, and a latch lever pivoted on said ink receptacle eut off the supply of ink to said inking' roller.

4. In an inking device for cheek indorsing machines and the like, the combination of an inking,r roller, an ink receptacle, an ink supply roller carried by said receptacle and normally bearing against said inking roller to be rotated thereby, means for normally maintaining said ink supply roller in contact with said inking roller, and means mounted on said receptacle and manually operative to engage a holding member to move said ink receptacle away from and said ink supply roller out of contact with, said inking roller.

5. In an inking device for check indorsing machines and the like, the combination ot an inking roller, an ink receptacle, an ink supply roller carried by said receptacle and normally bearing` against said inkng roller, spring means for normally urging,r said ink receptacle towards said inking roller to maintain said ink supply roller in Contact with said inking roller, a stop member limiting movement of the receptacle under the action of its spring means, means for regulating the supply of ink on said ink supply roller, and means mounted on said receptacle and manually operative to engage beneath raid stop member to move and hold said ink receptacle against its spring means to carry and hold said ink supply roller out of contact with said inking roller.

G. In an inking' device for check indorsing machines and the like, the combination of an inking roller, an ink receptacle, an ink supply roller rotataby mounted on said receptacle and normally bearingl against said inking' roller to be driven thereby, spring pressuremeans engaging said ink receptacle for normally maintaining said ink supply roller in contact with said inking roller, and a latch lever mounted 4on said receptacle and n'ianually operative to engage a latch holding member to move said ink receptacle so that lsaid receptacle carries said ink supply roller out of driving Contact with said inking roller.

In testimony whereoc I have hereunto set my hand.

HJALMAR SVVANSON. 

